Sam Pizzo - Inducted in 2003

Sam Pizzo has dedicated much of his life to young athletes, the sport of baseball and making sure kids had a place to play.

Pizzo, a native of Detroit and graduate of Southwestern High School, moved to Taylor with is wife, Mary Ann. The couple had four children (Sue, Mike, Vince and Jeff) and he began coaching recreation baseball in Taylor Township in 1961. At one point, he actually coached two teams at the same time.

In 1966, when children in another section of the community had no place to play baseball, Pizzo founded the Taylor South Little League, which is currently located at Heritage Park. In July 1977, the fields at the park were named Sam Pizzo Fields.

Pizzo coached Little League baseball for 13 years, served as a Taylor recreation commissioner for 17 years and has been involved in sports all of his life. He and his family continue to participate in the events surrounding the Junior League World Series of Baseball, the international championships hosted by the Taylor South Little League and held on Sam Pizzo Fields.

Pizzo, who now has eight grandchildren, retired after 33 years working at General Motors. He is a member of the Lions Club, Democratic Club of Taylor, Knights of Columbus, Polish Roman Catholic Union, and St. Constance Parish.